In response to the escalating climate crisis that regularly submerges lakeside communities, education officials and humanitarian agencies in Kenya are developing a pioneering proposal for floating schools in the flood-prone regions of Lake Victoria. The concept, born from the urgent need to ensure continuous education for thousands of children, involves constructing buoyant, moored school structures that can rise and fall with the water levels, making them immune to the seasonal flooding that routinely forces the closure of traditional brick-and-mortar classrooms. This innovative approach aims to prevent a lost generation of learners in counties like Siaya, Homa Bay, and Migori, where rising lake waters have become a permanent and disruptive feature of life, severing children’s access to their right to an education.
The proposed design for these floating institutions focuses on stability, safety, and functionality. The structures would be built on robust, pontoon-like platforms using locally sourced and recycled materials where possible, featuring classrooms, latrines, and a secure rainwater harvesting system. A key component of the plan involves community ownership, with local artisans and builders being trained in the construction and maintenance techniques, thereby building local capacity and creating jobs. The schools would be anchored close to displaced communities, allowing children to reach them safely by boat without having to traverse long or dangerous distances, ensuring that even during the worst floods, the school bell can still ring.
While the initial investment is significant, proponents argue that the long-term social and economic benefits far outweigh the costs. By guaranteeing educational continuity, the floating schools would protect children from the increased risks of child labour and early marriage that often accompany prolonged school closures. The model also represents a shift from reactive disaster response—where temporary learning spaces are set up after the fact—to proactive, climate-resilient infrastructure. If successful, this initiative could provide a scalable blueprint not only for other flood-affected regions of Kenya but for vulnerable coastal and riverine communities across the globe, demonstrating how innovation can help safeguard fundamental human rights against the growing impacts of climate change.